Pulp-distributing machine.



V. C. BENNETT & G. DRU ND.

PULP DISTRIBUTING MACH APPLIOATION FILED AHM, 1913.

1,100,649, Patented June 16,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. 7

...ANN

rgyrmfovzaud V. C. BBNNBTT'L G. DRUMMO-ND.

PULP DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLIOATION rLED Armi, 1913.-

1,100,649, Patented June 16, 1914.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. u4 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VYVYAN C. BENNETT AND GREY DRUMMOND, 0F EL ORO, MEXICO.

PULP-DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1914.

Application led. April 5, 1913. Serial No. 759,201.`

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, VYVYAN C. BENNETT andGREY DRUMMoND, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing atElV Oro, Estado de Mexico, Republic of Mexico, have invented certain newand useful Improve-` ments in Pulp-Distributing Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for distributing o-repulp to ore dressing machines, such, for instance, as tube mills. Theimproved machine is especially intended to supply a gang or series ofore dressing machines, and its object is to simultaneously deliver toany particular number of machines up to a certain point, streams of pulpof uniform character, consistency, and volume, and it is especiallycapable of eiecting equal, or substantially equal, divisions of the pulpfor either all of the machines of the gang or series, or for a number ofsaid machines less than the total number thereof in the gang or series.That is to say, assuming, for the sake of example, that there are siXore dressing machines to which the pulp is to be distributed: themachine which forms the subject matter of the present invention isadapted to deliver uniform and equal streams of pulp to all of the sixdressing` machines, or to any live, or four, or less number of suchdressing machines.

It will, of course, be understood that the amount of pulp supplied bythe feed launder or feed pipe is not affected by the number of dressingmachines-to which the pulp is to be distributed, and consequently, thatthe streams of pulp passing to said dressing machines, while uniform incharacter and volume with one another, will be of greatervolume in thecase of a smaller number of dressing machines to be supplied than theywill in 4the case of a larger number of such machines.

The invention includes means for convenicntly and quickly effecting theinterchangeable application of the machine to different particularnumbers of dressing machines at different times.

The essential features ofthe invention are a collecting pan orequivalent provided with a certain number of compartments, a dividingpan or equivalent which receives the pulp from the collecting pan and inwhich the streams to supply the different dressing machines are formed,a distributing element which receives the pulp from the battery launderand by which the pulp is passed to1 the collecting pan, and a number ofdistributing spouts or connections leading from the several chambers ofthe collecting pan and mounted so as to be put into communi-- cationwith any desired chamber of the distributing pan. Under idealconditions, the number of chambers in the collecting pan is a multipleof the number of chambers in the dividing pan, and the discharge spoutsor connections from the collecting pan are so arranged that equalnumbers thereof communicate with the several chambers of the dividingpan, or with a selected number of the chambers of the dividing pan.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical central sectional view of a machine in which thefeatures of improvement are incorporated; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dividing pan. This iigure showsdiagrammatically and by dotted lines the relation of the dischargespouts from the collccting pan, and of the tubes which lead from theseveral chambers of the dividing pan to the ore dressing machines. Fig.4l is a detail perspective view of the distributing element.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

The working parts are supported by a frame work of any suitableconstruction, and consist essentially of the distributing` element l,the stationary collecting pan 2, the dividing pan 3, and the dischargespouts or connections 4t by which the pulp is transferred from the pan 2to the pan 3.

In the embodiment shown, the element 1 is mounted for rotation and is inthe form of asnail channel. The channel l is carried by a pendant shaft5 which is revolved by the reaction of the pulp stream or by anysuitable means and is arranged in relation to a feed launder or feedpipe 6 and to the chambers or compartments 7 of the pan 2. The launder 6discharges the pulp in a zone concentric to the axis of rotation of thechannel 1 and the pulp uniformly discharges from the open end of saidchannel into the successive compartments 7, consequent to the rotationof the channel relatively to said compartments. To facilitate thedischarge of' pulp from the chambers or compartments 7, each compartmenthas an inclined bottom communicating at its lowest point with .adischarge duct 8, and the spouts 4, which are of somewhat ogee form, andterminate at points above the pan 3 are in communication with theseveral discharge ducts 8 and are connected to the base plate o f thepan 2, preferably through the agency of swivel joints 9.

The otlice of the chamber 3 is to divide the pulp into a number ofstreams of uniform consistency and volume, corresponding to the numberof dressing machines to which the pulp is to be delivered. For thispurpose, the chamber 3 is divided into a number of compartments l0,which are prefeih ably of annular form and are concentrically related,each compartment 10 preferably having a bottom lining made up of amixture of concrete and sileX and faced with cement. Each compartment 10is connected by a discharge pipe 11 to a particular dressing machine ofthe group to be supplied. The bottoms of the compartments l0 areinclined, and the tubes 11, of course, lead from the lowest point ofsaid bottoms.

Tn the embodiment shown, the chamber 2 has twenty-eight compartments 7,and the chamber 3 has seven compartments l0. In such event, it will beunderstood that the maximum number of dressing machines constituting thegroup to be supplied will be seven. t is also assumed that all of thedressing machines are to be supplied with pulp, in which ease the spouts4 are so arranged that four of them discharge into each compartment l0,(Fig. Tt will be obvious that the spouts 4 and the chamber 3 thus coactto produce seven streams of pulp of uniform character and volume whichare passed by the several pipes l1 and the several dressing machines.if, for any reason, all of the dressing machines are not all to be used,but a number less than the total number are to be supplied, the spouts 4are adjusted relatively to the compartments l() of the chamber 3 toeffect a division of the aggregate mass of pulp into equal orsubstantially equal streams, corresponding` in number to the number ofdressing machines to be supplied. In some cases it may not always bepossible to have a theoretical equality of the streams, but in anvevent, the streams will be substantially equal. To obtain an absoluteequality of the streams under all conditions, the number of comparements in the chamber 2 should be the least common multiple of all thenumbers of compartments which can be selected froml the chamber 3. Toillustrate: Assuming that there are four dressing machines and that thechamber 3 has but four compartments 10, the chamber 2 will have twelvecompartments 7, since twelve is the least common multiple of the factorsl, 2, 3, and 4. But when the number of dressing machines and the numberof compartments in the chamber 3 is over 4, it is not feasible to haveabsolute equality of all the streams, because the member which is theleast common multiple of the several factors which can be produced fromthe number of compartments in the chamber 3 will be such that a.corresponding number of compartments i in the chamber 2 would beimpracti tal, because it would render the machine too cumbersome. Thus,if it be assumed that there are five compartments 10 in the chamber 3,the least common multiple of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is G0, butthe use of (30 compartments 7, suitable for the purposes in view, wouldbe impractical, for the reasons stated. As a matter of fact, it isimpractical to have more than about thirty-tive compartments 7, and sucha number of compartments 7 will be sutlicient to enable the productionof substantially equal streams within the numerical limits of theaverage group or gang of dressing machines.

Under normal conditions, it is important that the supply of pulp to themachines should be uniform, and as fully explained above, the principalobject of the invention is to secure this uniformity. lt may some timeshappen, however, that it is desirable to supply a greater or less amountof pulp to some one machine of the group than to the others. Thus, inthe case of tube mill machines, it may happen, for one reason oranother, that one machine is not working eiiiciently, for example, owingto its not having its requisite load of grinding pebbles. In such acase, it might be deemed advantageous to deliver a stream having lessvolume to this machine than the streams delivered to the other machines.This result is achieved by such an arrangement of the spouts orconnections 4 as will malte the particular stream to be delivered to themachine not having its requisite load of grinding pebbles of less volumethan the other streams, and to make these other streams uniform involume with one another, or as nearly uniform as possible under thecircumstances. Thus, in the case assumed b v the drawings, where sevenmachines are to be supplied, and under ideal conditions, each streamwill be made up of the product delivered by four of the spouts 4; in theevent that one of the dressing machines, for any reason, does not havethe capacity for a stream corresponding to the product of four spouts 4,the channel 10 which supplies this particular dressing machine may, ofcourse, receive the product of but three of the spouts 4, in which casethe odd spout will be turned to communicate with some other channel,preferably the channel of the machine which, if there is any distinctionin capacity, as to the remaining machines of the group, has the greatestcapacity.

The improved machine is also useful in that one of the spouts 4 maywithout interference with the normal operation of the machine be turnedto deliver a stream into the sample boxes, and in this way an accuratesample may be obtained. By noting thel time element in taking thesample, a close estimate of the quantity of the material flowing throughthe plant may be made.

Having fully described our invention, we claim:

1. In a pulp distributing machine, a stationary collecting chamberhaving compartments therein provided with inclined bottoms, a stationarydividing chamber having compartments therein provided with inclinedbottoms, discharge pipes leading from the compartments of the dividingchamber at the lowest point of the inclined bottoms thereof, a dischargespout for each compartment of the collecting chamber leading from thelowest point of its inclined bottom, each discharge spout beingadjustable whereby it may establish directand continuous communicationbetween the collecting chamber compartment from which it leads and anyselected compartment of the dividing chamber, and in the normaloperation of the machine terminating at a point above the dividingchamber, the number of compartments in the collecting chamber being suchrelatively to the number of compartments in the dividing chamber that aplurality of groups of said spouts, each group composed of a pluralityof spouts, may simultaneously communicate with all or any selectednumber of the respective compartments of the dividing chamber, and meansfor distributing the pulp uniformly to all the compartments of thecollecting chamber.

2. In pulp distributing machine, a stationary collecting chambei havingcompartments therein provided with inclined bottoms, a stationarydividing chamber having compartments therein provided with inclinedbottoms, discharge pipes leading from the compartments of the dividingchamber at the lowest point of the inclined bottoms thereof, a dischargespout for each compartment of the collecting chamber leading from thelowest point of its inclined bottom, each discharge spout beingadjustable whereby it may establish direct and continuous communicationbetween the collecting chamber compartment from which it leads and anyselected compartment of the dividing chamber, and in the normaloperation of the machine terminating at a point above the dividingchamber, the number of compartments in the collecting chamber being suchrelatively to the number of compartments in the dividing chamber that aplurality of groups of said spouts, each group composed of a pluralityof spouts, may simultaneously communicate with all or any selectednumber of the respective compartments of the dividing chamber, arotatable snail channel arranged above the collecting chamber, and afeed launder discharging into the snail channel, the latter serving todischarge the pulp uniformly to the compartments of the collectingchamber.

3. In a pulp distributing machine, a stationary collecting chamberhaving an inclined bottom, a stationary dividing chamber havingcompartments therein provided with inclined bottoms, discharge pipesleading from the compartments of the dividing chamber at the lowest'point of thev inclined bottoms thereof, a plurality of equi-distantdischarge spouts leading from the lowest point of the inclined bottom ofthe collecting chamber, each discharge spout being adjustable whereby itmay establish direct and continuous communication between the collectingchamber and any selected compartment of the dividing chamber, and in thenormal operation of the machine terminating at a point above thedividing chamber, the number of discharge spouts being such relativelyto the number of compartments in the dividing chamber that a pluralityof groups of said spouts, each group composed of a plurality of spouts,may simultaneously communicate with all or any selected number of therespective compartments of the dividing chamber, and means fordistributing the pulp uniformly throughout the extent of the collectingchamber.

4. In a pulp distribuating machine, a stationary collecting chamberhaving compartments therein, a stationary dividing cha1nber havingcompartments therein, discharge pipes leading from the compartments ofthe dividing chamber, an angularly disposed discharge spout swiveled tothe base of each compartment of the collecting chamber, each dischargespout being adjustable whereby it may establish direct and continuouscommunication between the collecting chamber compartment from which itleads and any selectved compartment of the dividing chamber, and in thenormal operation of the machine terminating at a point above thedividing chamber, the number of compartments in the collecting chamberbeing such relatively to the number of compartments in the dividingchamber that a plurality of groups of said spouts, each group composedof aplurality of spouts, may simultaneously communicate may establishdirect and continuous communication between the collecting chambercompartment from which it leads and any selected compartment of thedividing chamber, and inthe normal operation of the machine terminatingat a point above the dividing chamber, the number of compartments in thecollecting chamber being such relatively to the number of compartmentsin the dividing cha aber that a plurality of groups of said spouts, eachgroup composed of a plurality of spouts, may simultaneously communicatewith all or any selected number of the respect-ive compartments of thedividing chamber, a rotatable snail channel arranged above thecollecting` chamber, and a feed launder discharging into the snailchannel, the latter serving to discharge the pulp uniformly to thecompartments of the collecting chamber.

6. In a pulp distributing` machine, a stationary collecting chamberhaving compartments therein, a dividing chamber having compartmentstherein, discharge pipes leading from the compartments of the dividingchamber, a discharge spout for each compartment of the collectingchamber, each discharge spout being adjustable whereby it may establishdirect and continuous communication between the collecting chambercompartment from which it leads and any selected compartment of thedividing` chamber, and in the normal operation of the machineterminating at a point above the dividing chamber, the number ofcompartments in the collecting chamber being such relatively to thenumber of compartments inthe dividing chamber that a plurality of groupsof said spouts, each group composed of a plurality of spouts, maysimultaneously communicate with all or any selected number of therespective compartments of the dividing chamber, and means fordistributing the pulp uniformly to the compartments of the collectingchamber.

7 In a pulp distributing machine, a stationary collecting chamber, adividing chamber having compartments therein, discharge pipes leadingfrom the compartments of the `dividing chamber, Aa plurality of equi-distant discharge spouts leading from the collecting chamber, eachdischarge spout being adjustable whereby it may establish direct andcontinuous communication between the collecting chamber and any selectedcompartment of the dividing chamber, and in the normal operation of themachine terminating at a point above the dividing chamber, the number ofdischarge spouts being such relatively to the number of compartments inthe dividing chamber that a plurality of groups of said spouts, cachgroup composed of a plurality of spouts, may simultaneously communicatewith all or any selected number of the respective compartments of thedividing chamber, and means for distributing the lpulp uniformlythroughout the extent of the collecting chamber.

8. ln a pulp distributing machine, a stationary collecting chamber, adividing chamber having compartments therein, discharge pipes leadingfrom the compartments of the dividing chamber, a plurality ofequi-distant discharge spouts leading from the collecting chamber, eachdischarge spout being adjustable whereby it may establish direct andcontinuous communication between the collecting chamber and any selectedcompartment of the dividing chamber, and iu the normal operation of themachine terminating at a point above the dividing chamber, the number ofdischarge spouts being such relatively to the number of compartments inthe dividing chamber that a plurality of groups of said spouts, eachgroup composed of a plurality of spouts, may simultaneously communicatewith all or any selected number of the respective compartments of thedividing chamber, a rotatable snail channel arranged above thecollecting chamber, and a feed launder discharging into the snailchannel, the latter serving to discharge the pulp uniformly throughoutthe extent of the collecting chamber.

9. ln a pulp distributing machine, a. stationary collecting chamber, astationary dividing chamber having compartments therein; discharge pipesleading from the compartments of the dividing chamber, a plurality ofequi-distant discharge spouts leading from the collecting chamber, eachdischarge spout being angularly disposed, swiveled to the base of thecollecting chamber, in the normal operation of the machine terminatingabove the dividing chamber, and having such angularity that it may beadjusted to establish direct and continuous communication between thecollecting chamber and any selected compartment of the dividing chamber,or to deliver a stream of pulp at a point outside of the dividingchamber, the number vof discharge spouts being such relatively to thenumber of compartments in the dividing chamber that a plurality ofgroups of In testimony whereof We have hereunto said spouts, each groupcomposed of a pluset our bands in presence of tWO subscribing 10 ralityof spouts, may simultaneously oom- Witnesses.

niunicate with all or any number of the re- VYVYAN C. BENNETT. fspeotive compartments of the dividing GREY DRUMMOND.

chamber, and means for distributing the Witnesses:

pulp uniformly throughout the extent of J oI-IN D. VAN HORN,

the collecting chamber. W. ARCAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, J). C.

